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Update Messages from Mayor Sheehan COVID-19
- April 17, 2020
- April 10, 2020
- April 3, 2020
- March 27, 2020
- March 20, 2020
- Albany Mayor Kathy Sheehan Provides Update
Updates regarding the City of Albany’s response to the COVID-19 outbreak include:
- Highlighting the new walk-up COVID-19 testing sites open in Albany's South End, West End, and Arbor Hill neighborhoods thanks to County Executive McCoy
- Thanking our essential workers, including our first responders, 911 dispatchers, and transit workers
- Sharing how our community continues to care for one another, even when social distancing
- Announcing the cancellation of the Memorial Day Parade
- Reminding residents of Governor Cuomo's recent announcements: PAUSE has been extended until May 15 and as of Friday at 8 pm, face coverings are required in public places where you cannot maintain social distancing
- Discussing how contact tracing and infection rates will determine when the economy will reopen
- This information and more can be found on our City of Albany Resource Guide.
For many of you, myself included, this is a season of celebration. As part of this week’s City of #Albany COVID-19 Response update, I wanted to share with you how I am coping with the challenges this crisis has brought to light as we work to support one-another, and the three most important things we must continue to evaluate as we determine how and when we can get life back to normal (or toward a “new normal”) together.
I also wanted to again share the many ways you can help – whether it’s packaging and delivering food to those in need, or donating blood & blood plasma – or where you can access mental health resources to cope with the anxiety, stress, or fear that are all very normal feelings to have during this uncertain time.
This information and more can be found on our City of Albany Resource Guide.
Great news for Albany and Capital Region residents: Governor Andrew Cuomo and University at Albany, SUNY have just announced a new COVID-19 drive-through mobile testing facility will open on Monday in SUNY Albany’s Colonial Quad Parking Lot.
Residents who believe they have been in close contact with someone with COVID-19, and have symptoms, must call the state’s COVID-19 hotline at 888-364-3065 to make an appointment. Walk-ups will not be accepted.
Updates regarding the City of Albany’s response to the COVID-19 outbreak include:
- Advocating for more test kits, PPE, and federal funding to help our community recover once the outbreak is controlled
- Calling on residents to maintain social distance in our parks 🛑 no contact sports or use of playgrounds
- Providing information on where to access food, day care, Wifi, and community gardens
- Encouraging everyone to #SupportsmAlbany and utilize new curbside pick-up spots when ordering your next meal from our local eateries
- Reminding residents that this information and more can be found on our City of Albany Resource Guide.
Stay Home. Be Kind. Save Lives
Update regarding the City of Albany’s response to the COVID-19 outbreak include:
- Calling on the federal government to make more test kits available in the City and Region
- Suspending metered parking city-wide effective Friday at 6 p.m.
- Asking residents to help our hardworking DGS employees to limit the amount of bulk garbage and recycling left curbside
- Reminding residents about the various contact-free activities available in the City, including at the Corning Preserve, Tivoli Park, Washington Park, Lincoln Park, and Capital Hills Golf Course
- Connecting available individuals with volunteer opportunities via our resource guide.
Albany Mayor Kathy Sheehan Provides Update on Essential City Services, Staffing Levels, and Other Efforts Underway to Assist Residents During COVID-19 Outbreak
ALBANY, NY – Albany Mayor Kathy Sheehan recently provided an update regarding essential City services, staffing levels, and other efforts underway to assist residents during the COVID-19 outbreak. Mayor Sheehan also recently released an open letter to all City employees regarding the COVID-19 outbreak (letter attached).
View the complete video of Mayor Sheehan’s news conference.
At today’s news conference, Mayor Sheehan reiterated the importance of continuing to deliver essential City services. The Albany Police Department and Albany Fire Department continue to respond to all emergency calls, the Department of General Services continues to collect curbside solid waste and recycling as scheduled, and the Albany Water Department continues to repair water mains breaks, protect the City’s reservoirs, and ensure water treatment plants continue to operate effectively and efficiently. For a complete list of essential City services currently available, please visit our news flash.
Mayor Sheehan aso announced the City of Albany has reduced its non-first responder workforce by more than 64% as a result of Governor Cuomo’s directive to reduce the number of employees coming to work by at least 50%. Finally, Mayor Sheehan reminded community members that the City of Albany has created a COVID-19 resource guide that can be accessed here. The resource guide has a variety of information applicable to members of our community including where the City’s children and seniors can access meals, how to apply for unemployment insurance or small business assistance, and ways to connect with available volunteer opportunities. For those members of our community who do not have access to the internet, Mayor Sheehan encouraged individuals to dial 2-1-1. A member of the United Way of the Greater Capital Region’s information referral service can assist callers and connect them with this vital information.